Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise – sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. Each of the islands in this chain (Anguilla, St. Martin/Sint Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis) has its own history, culture and ecology, offering a cultural melange for those on an island-hopping vacation. Rainforest, beaches, wetlands, mangrove swamps and offshore shoals afford an unlimited variety of places in which to create your own adventure vacation. The Adventure Guide to the Leeward Islands is THE ultimate resource if you're heading for some fun in the sun. Covering all the usual sites and attractions featured in other guidebooks, including historical forts, plantations and in-town places of interest, this Adventure Guide also leads you away from the tourist traps and into the heart of the island to discover hidden waterfalls, pure mountain streams and secret trails. In addition, you'll find an entire run-down on where to stay and eat, from five-star resorts to family-run B&Bs and from haute cuisine to roadside stands selling the best BBQ chicken on the island. Focusing on outdoor activities, the authors recommend local tour operators and adventure outfitters, with contact names and numbers. Maps and photos. Color throughout. About the Author: The author is a professional travel writer with years of experience in writing feature stories for magazines and newspapers. She lives in Antigua, one of the Leewards, and frequently travels throughout the region to explore new developments.